Summer Highlights by: The Counselors

The staff celebrating Anam's Birthday this week!

This past week, Lazy F had the opportunity to take a break from our usual mission of providing campers with the best week of camp ever! Instead, Lazy F went through a greatly appreciated health check, update, and extreme organization around the camp grounds and maintenance areas. Because the counselors did not have campers during the week, they worked hard all over the camp updating the climbing tower, organizing the lumber piles, learning how to drive the tractor, clearing a channel to refill the pond, and much, much more!

Because the counselors worked hard in many areas they don't tend to work in, there was some reminiscent hubbub of the summer so far. Below are each of the counselors and three highlights of the summer they have experienced up to date! If you have not yet had the pleasure of coming to Lazy F this summer and are wondering who our camp counselors are, Click Here to meet the staff!

Three current highlights of the summer:

Breevie

1. Definitely reading a good chunk of Harry Potter in the talent show to the Night Owl kids who thought my accent was a talent! 
2. Being part of writing from scratch and performing all dressed up, two awesome songs; one biblical (to the tune "We will rock you"), one about camp (to the tune "Tik tok" ), with my Night Owl cabin group!
3. When I entered my cabin group's room (of all boys) during Primary Camp to say good night and to hurry them into bed, I found one of my campers head to toe in white cream. When I asked the camper what he was doing, I got the response (in the tone of "isn't it obvious?"), "I'm moisturizing"! 

Chipper 

1. Conquering the Magic Tarpet with the summer staff!
2. Being attacked by my campers with camouflage and eating ants the same day during Operation Purple.
3. Watching the moon fall in the west and sun rise in the east at 5:30am during Night Owl. 

Forrest 

1. My first highlight is related to Operation Purple. Because it is a camp focused on military kids we're not able to give explicit Christian messages or to have religious activities. I was surprised when one of the Op Purple campers decided to come back for another week of Christian camp and also, after that week, decided that he was going to come back next year. Everything has a meaning and definitely God talks in different forms and invites more and more people to be part of his plans....Lazy F is a place where you can feel God's call and answer it.
2. The second highlight is related to the worship. During the different camps we've had a chance to hear God's word, reflect upon its message and celebrate our faith. But I have to say that Gordy's messages at Night Owl touched a lot of campers and staff members. I think that he added a great connection with life in every single of his stories and made the Bible messages more related to the people.
3. Finally, my third highlight is related to Night Owl. In general, that camp was a time to meet up again with some of the returnee campers, have new experiences, and create new friendships. It was a time to reflect upon the past, what we saw or what we lived last year, to have tools to help campers and change lives. In short, that camp as awesome. 

Quirky

1. Making and singing the song "Night Owl Prowl" to the tune of "Tik tok". 
2. Getting to see campers I had last summer...and see how they've grown!!
3. Laughing way too hard with the world's greatest Lazy F Summer Staff!

Bestie

1. This summer has been SO AWESOME! It is really hard to pick just three highlights. One for sure would have to be my Operation Purple cabin group and our hike to the Agate Beds! The girls were sure that they would not be able to complete it right from the start, but my co-counselor and I were able to guide our girls up to the top and the looks on their faces was so rewarding.
2. (And 3). My second and third highlights are from my week being a counselor during Night Owl. My cabin group was incredible and the amount of personal growth I got out of the week is unforgettable. I feel as though I was pushed out of my comfort-zone even more than any of my campers and I realized that as a leader I am capable of so much more that I thought.  

Hobbes

1. I would just like to say that picking just three memories so far is SUPER HARD.  But there is one that jumps out immediately to me.  I was sitting and eating snack one night at Night Owl with several campers and Breevie at my table.  Our Pastor for the week, Gordy Hutchins, was sitting at the next table eating a “Grinch Sandwich” (peanut butter and pickles).  Breevie, who greatly enjoys trying new “American” foods, asked for a bite, and rather enjoyed it.  The whole table then passed the sandwich around, each person taking a bite, until it, and the next two Gordy made, were gone.  One camper noted how odd it was that a group of basically strangers was sitting around a table sharing a sandwich. SO FUNNY!
2. My second memory comes from our first week with campers, Operation Purple Camp.  My small group had had a particularly difficult time on some of the low challenge course elements and had not been able to complete the Whale Watch in time.  After a rather difficult decision making process they, as an entire group, decided that they wanted to return later to finish what they started (I was proud of them for that).  We ended up not having time to return until 9:00 pm the next night, so my small group did Whale Watch in the dark, finishing around 10 pm and it was one of the best debriefs of an activity I have ever had.  Such an awesome moment. 
3. And finally, going all the way back to staff training…I very unfortunately had to miss a few days of training to attend a conference in New Orleans (great conference, but it was sad to miss training and bonding time with the staff).  My whole drive back to camp I was just pumped up and excited to get back, although since I was arriving at about 1am I wasn’t expecting to see anyone until the morning.  However, as soon as I stepped out of my car I embraced by a mysterious figure wrapped up in blankets, and a couple other staff members.  It startled me a bit, but that amazing welcome back describes our staff this summer extremely well.  I do love this staff!
   

Moonie

1. When my group for Operation Purple finished the low course element, Triangle Tension Traverse, together. One of my girls had a broken foot and the rest of the team joined together to help her. It was amazing to see them work together! 
2. Campfire and stargazing with the Backwoods group was AMAZING! Seeing the young boys and girls lay and stare at the stars and ask questions was an awesome experience.  
3. Hiking to the cross, then watching the sunrise with the Night Owl group was an amazing end to an epic week.
     

Flamingo

1. This summer the song, “Every Move I Make” has become famous since Forrest likes it tons and plays it every chance. I have to say that it's not my favorite but it has one of my favorite phrases for this summer: "Everywhere I look I see your face".  During my first camp this summer, at the beginning of the week, my group didn't glue together.  It wasn't until during challenge course that I noticed one of my campers being that last piece to perfectly fit and make our group complete. She came from the back row to the front of leadership. She was quiet but observing, ready to step out of the box. During hard times she was my inspiration.
2. “This little light of mine” -  This is my third summer and I have never heard this song until this summer. I think I see this little light shinning in my campers when I see kindness, true friendship, and I find the little gems. Camp is the best place to discover this hidden talent and to find the best of yourself. I see this light having a title when we do the Awards. 
3. “The Funky Chicken” -“I said, let me see your funky chicken! :) What's that you say? I said, let me see your funky chicken uu aaa u aa a u…”. Having fun; Summer 2011 has been a blast of fun! The staff, WE ARE FAMILY. The campers, especially for my Operation Purple group and Wolf Pack! AAAU!

Camp Rocks!

Starwalker

Upon first wake of the day, where is it we find ourselves?  When the day has gone and passed, where do we retire to rest our head?  Where do we run to when we are hurt or humbled?  Where do we grow as an individual or as brothers and sisters?  Where do we break bread with loved ones by our side?

What makes a place, a home?

Is it the mat that lies at the door? Is it the memories we continue to hold? Or is it simply the place in which our time is spent most? 

For me, a home is made by those with whom we share it.  Bunk mates, neighbors, or even the strangers that pass on the sidewalk, are all crucial elements that make up the community in which my home resides.  For someone whose home of over twenty years is nearly two thousand miles away, often, it can be rather difficult to believe that such another exists.

Here, I have found the fallen to pick up, and those not afraid to push, ones to teach, and some very unexpected lessons.  In thoughts, and in ways, I challenge the days, while perpetually being loved, for who it is that I am.  With absolute poise my stride remains steady, yet we still make time to walk a bit silly.  Through blushed cheeks and bare feet, we all manage to get the dirt beneath our fingernails.  I have been bruised, busted, hugged and fed, all in the same afternoon, and time and time again, we say with utmost sincerity, you are the best!

It’s true you see, such places exist.  Surely, they do not lie around each corner, often times they can be hidden quite well.  Sometimes it’s best to dive in head first, rather than test the waters, for you will know its feel only when fully submerged.

Here, I have found a home, one I would have never thought to exist.